Governor Signs Tax and Jobs Bill In Nassau County

Cuomo calls tax break lowest in 58 years, bill calls for MTA payroll tax repeal

Six months ago, Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled to Lynbrook to sign the 2 percent tax cap legislation, a bill he called a decade-long battle for that legislation in New York State. On Monday, Dec. 12, Cuomo visited West Hempstead’s Cornwell Avenue School to sign the Middle Class Tax Cut and Job Creation bill, which has been touted by the governor and supporting senators as bringing real tax relief to businesses and the middle class in New York State.

The state legislature passed the bill on Dec. 7.

Christmas Memories During World War II

The year was 1944. Although he had no sons, my dad proudly displayed a Service flag with three blue stars in our front window. I was in the Navy, my sister Mary was in the Army and Eileen was in the Cadet Nurse program. Another sister, Pat, was a civilian. She was 11. We were a very close family–given to lots of love and laughter–so the separation caused by our military service was indeed a hardship. That Christmas we were to learn just how hard, when it appeared that none of us would get leave. The family decided to postpone the Yule festivities until we could all be together.

Then, an unexpected transfer to the Admiral’s office changed my status and I was granted leave. I arrived home on Christmas Eve. Mamma, Daddy and Pat were delighted. Now there were four of us. We celebrated at the kitchen table with cinnamon toast, generously margarined (butter had gone off to war), and a pot of tea made with one rationed teabag.

Plandome Road Merchant’s Association Meeting

The parking subcommittee, formed at the last meeting of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce Plandome Road Merchants’ Association, met twice and is pursuing potential solutions for what is a serious problem for both shop owners and the community. “People go to Staples because there’s parking,” Les Forrai, Minuteman Press, said, “but I’m cheaper.”

The use of some form of coupon was discussed at the 8 a.m. gathering on Dec. 5 at Coral Reef Travel, in order to spur sales, that, if sent by mail, a printing of about 5,012 copies would reach “occupants” of the town. Discussion followed as to how each business could promote its own and its neighbor’s business. Memories of yesteryear’s Welcome Wagon surfaced when those new to Manhasset received coupons to local stores. Diane Harragan, Coach Realty, announced her office provides new homeowners with a subscription to the Manhasset Press. Next year late shopping could tie in to the popular Christmas tree lighting ceremony held annually on the first Friday in December, was another suggestion. Various discussions led to a proposal that a mission statement be formulated by the group; possibly a logo too.

Flight Patterns and Noise Concerns

 Schaier continuesto chart incoming flight levels

Port Washington resident Len Schaier has been a hawk when it comes to possible noise increases from new flight patterns over Long Island. Recently, Schaier, who is the chief organizer behind Citizens for Quiet Skies Over North Hempstead, predicted that any new noise problems would come, at first, from landing patterns. And now, he claims that is just exactly what is happening.

In an email that Schaier sent to the Federal Aeronautics Aviation (FAA) earlier this month, he claimed that there has been a “dramatic increase in commercial aircraft noise since Oct. 20 here in the Town of North Hempstead.”

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, Poster Contest Winners

Manhasset’s annual tree lighting ceremony took place on Friday evening, Dec. 2, at the Mary Jane Davies Park. Excitement was in the air as people gathered to see old friends, meet parents and spouses getting off trains returning from the city, and youngsters eagerly awaited the results of the 2011 Poster Contest and the arrival of Santa Claus to Manhasset. The evening was beautifully clear, but because it was also chilly, everyone was grateful for the hot chocolate provided free of charge by the Manhasset Park District.

The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, under the direction of Commander Falcone, Manhasset Post 304, led the audience in saying The Pledge of Allegiance, and old and young respectfully joined in, facing the flag.

Manhasset Park District Commissioner Election

Incumbent Commissioner Ann Marie Curd is being challenged by John J. Regan for the one open position in the Manhasset Park District. The election will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 3-9 p.m. at the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire House on Bayview Avenue.

Greater Council Inducts New Officers for 2011-12

Supervisor Jon Kaiman and developer Michael Puntillo attend meeting

At the Nov. 9 meeting of the Greater Council of Manhasset Civic Associations Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman was present to swear in officers elected for the 2011-12 term. Prior to officiating, Kaiman accepted congratulations on his reelection to town supervisor just the day before and made some comments. Running for election is an extraordinary opportunity, Kaiman said, but makes you susceptible to the ups and downs of people’s concerns—it was a learning experience, and frustrating too, in that he believes they have made great strides representing the community yet others, he said, trash and minimize those accomplishments. Newspapers, he continued, print the bad, they don’t focus on the good, so community leaders are needed to point out the good.

Manhasset-Lakeville Water and Fire District Candidates

Three challengers, John Nash, Joseph Renta and Daniel Ross have entered the race for the position of Manhasset-Lakeville Fire and Water District against incumbent Andrew DeMartin. The election will be held on Dec. 13.

Famous Pastry Chef Filmed at Plandome Woman’s Club

Not only did owner/pastry chef Michael Mignano of Main Street Bakery & Cafe in Port Washington give a baking demonstration and entertain members of the Plandome Woman’s Club recently with stories about his life, but he also brought along a film crew from The Food Network to film the program!

The room was filled to capacity, and Mignano’s sense of humor quickly set the tone as he began to make a Pumpkin Ginger cake, while telling stories ranging from his experience in his college cafeteria, to the different positions he has held as executive pastry chef, such as for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and as pastry chef at restaurants such as Bouley, Aureole, Lespinasse, and Balthazar Restaurant, all in New York City.   

Plandome Road Merchants Association Tackles Parking

After the holidays more shops expected to fold

Lil Lindergren, Olive Duntley Florist, kicked off the third meeting of the Manhasset Chamber of Commerce Plandome Road Merchants Association by announcing Plandome Road is unsightly. For a town on the elite North Shore, she said, the town is in bad shape. Landlords, she said, pitch to prospective renters that they can rent space to commuters at $200 each to help pay the rent, exacerbating an existing parking problem. Lundgren said she was chamber president in 1985 and it is amazing how little has changed. Just walk behind the stores and see the fences, the jumbled mess, where there could be metered parking and intelligently laid out parking fields like other towns have. Why? She asked. And, according to Lundgren, a good measure of blame falls on the shoulders of the community. To most, she says often, the big C is cancer. In Manhasset, the big C is change.